By Judy Feather, Colorado
Master GardenerSM, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, Denver
County

Veronicas are so useful and come in so many forms that gardeners may not realize these
diverse plants are closely related. There are some 250 species of veronicas, also called
speedwells. Many are readily available and easily grown in Colorado's climate and soils.

Some veronicas grow as ground-hugging mats while others reach 2 to 3 feet tall. Leaf
color varies from glossy green to silver. Flower colors may be rose, pink, blue or white.
Though flowers are often presented in spikes, some species produce blooms in small
clusters. With so many species, flowering ranges from early spring through fall.

From April to June, Veronica liwanensis, or Turkish veronica, starts the flowering
season. Cobalt blue flowers nearly conceal the tiny, waxy leaves. This 1- to 2- inch
groundcover may appear fragile but is tough, thriving on winter drought and little summer
water once established. It grows well in full sun among other plants and between paving
stones and on rock walls. It is equally at home along the Front Range as it is up to
10,000 feet.

For a beautiful mid-spring display, plant V. pectinata, woolly veronica. This tough
little plant is an evergreen ground cover that performs well in full sun and dry
conditions. It also tolerates light shade. Woolly gray green leaves are toothed, which
adds to the texture. It grows to about 4 inches tall and spreads slowly. In mid-spring it
produces blue/purple flowers that last for about a month. Use it as an edging against a
sidewalk or to soften the lines along a path.

In late spring, V. spicata incana, silver speedwell, can be admired for its deep blue
flowers on 10-inch spikes - stunning against its gray foliage. This veronica blooms all
summer with deadheading and adapts well to a variety of soils and conditions.

Look for the hybrid Veronica "Waterperry Blue." This low, trailing plant
grows 4 inches high and 1 feet wide, rooting as it spreads. The rounded, bronze-tinted
leaves grow on trailing stems that support loose clusters of pale blue flowers veined in
deep blue.

It's mostly spring blooming, with sporadic flowering throughout summer and fall. This
plant grows well in partial shade and can be grouped with hostas, coral bells and lady's
mantle.

V. alpina also can be found blooming in spring and early summer. Alpine veronica forms
a 6-inch tall rosette of shiny green leaves from which foot-tall stems bear clusters of
dark blue to violet flowers. The cultivar "Rosea" is pink flowered.

Summer months bring V. spicata, spiked speedwell, to center stage with its many
available cultivars. The species forms rounded, 1- to 2-foot-wide clumps that send up
2-foot stems with oval, glossy green leaves topped with spikes of bright blue flowers. It
has a very long season of bloom if faded flowers are removed.

Some notable cultivars of V. spicata (which are hybrids with other speedwells) include
"Icicle," 15-18 inches high with white flower spikes. A clump of this white
cultivar really cools down the garden.

Veronicas, in general, do well in average soil with good drainage. They grow best in
full sun but benefit from light afternoon shade in hot Colorado summers. Remove spent
flower spikes to encourage secondary blooms. Clumps may be dug and divided in early spring
or, you may increase plants from stem cuttings taken in spring and summer.

Note that taxonomists rename species, and different nurseries may list the same
cultivar under two or three species names. When shopping for veronicas, give attention not
only to botanical names but also to descriptions of growth habit and flower color.